Cathar Country Info

With thanks to LFN Digestive

In the garden – February 2012

By Gill Pound

Coronilla glaucaWinter this year has been quite mild so far and a number of spring flowering shrubs are already showing colour, although according to Meteo France by the time you read this we will be having some colder weather again and we should be prepared for cold weather throughout February and March. February can still be a quiet time of the year in the garden but as the weather starts to warm up and the days lengthen there are a number of tasks that one can be getting on with to prepare for the coming season:

• General weeding, digging and mulching of flower beds
• Check that stakes are holding firm with the winter winds
• Turn some organic material (compost, rotted manure etc) into your flower beds and perhaps add some general organic fertiliser
• Towards the end of the month start to cut back ornamental grasses, other perennials and sub shrubs such as Salvia microphylla and it’s cultivars, Perovskia, etc
• Deadhead winter flowering pansies to encourage repeat flowering.
• Check on the watering requirements of container grown plants, even at this time of the year they can dry out.
• During February or March prune summer flowering shrubs (eg Lavatera, Buddleia) that flower on the current year’s growth, prune winter flowering shrubs such as winter jasmine and Mahonia after flowering.
• Planting and moving plants
• If you haven’t yet done so, prune woody climbers such as Wisteria and Campsis back to two or three buds on sideshoots.       Late flowering clematis should also be pruned now, as can Virginia creeper
• Make sure that you have finished pruning hedges before the bird nesting season begins, hedges are ideal nesting areas for many garden birds. Nesting boxes can also still be put up in February.

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At La Petite Pépinière we shall be offering three gardening courses this spring. Our courses are aimed at gardeners in the Languedoc and our intention is to provide information and promote discussion in a relaxed and informal atmosphere which will help those interested in creating interesting, easy to maintain and colourful ornamental gardens. The courses detailed below will be held at La Petite Pépinière in Caunes-Minervois (11160) and will be tutored by Gill Pound, nursery proprietor. All courses are designed for a group of seven to eleven participants. Course fees quoted include coffees, teas etc and you are asked to bring a packed lunch.

An Introduction to Pruning - Thursday 15th March, 10am to 4pm

This will be an introduction to the principles and practice of pruning, why, when and how.  Practical work in the garden here will be included and we will focus on pruning practices relating to plants frequently found in gardens in the region.

Course fee:  45€

 Gardening with Mediterranean native plants - Thursday 22nd March, 10 am to 4pm

There is increasing interest in gardening with Med basin native plants - as those most likely to be drought tolerant and to be good for wildlife gardening.  This course will include a discussion relating to the Mediterranean climate and the adaptations shown by plants.  We will then visit an area of garrigue countryside about 10 minutes from Caunes for a 4km walk looking at native plants and their potential for the garden before returning to Caunes for further discussion about the use of native trees, shrubs etc in our gardens.

Course fee: 45€

Propagation: Monday 26^th March, 10am to 4pm

An introduction to the principles of propagation - how to increase your own plants by layering, division, seeds and cuttings.  Plenty of practical work

 Course fee:  45€

If you would like to reserve a place on any of the above courses then please contact Gill Pound, La Petite Pépinière de Caunes, 21, av de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois with a cheque for the course fee (cheques will not be cashed until after the course). 04 68 78 43 81 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Jasminum nudiflorumAs the days start to lengthen and to warm up a number of spring flowering shrubs and trees will start to flower. There are a number of yellow flowered shrubs that flower in early spring. Coronilla glauca is an indigenous shrub, and thus very drought resistant, with wonderfully scented flowers during February and March. Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is an old favourite but in the Languedoc we are more likely to see the semi-double flowers of Jasminum primulinum which is a scrambling shrub that can easily be trained over a pergola or similar.Jasminum primulinum

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I shall be exhibiting at the Fete de la Bigarade at La Caunette (34210) on the 25^th & 26^th February. This is a very good plant fair, with over 30 exhibitors and the opportunity to buy some quite unusual plants.

For further information contact Gill Pound at La Petite Pépinière de Caunes (shrubs and perennials, unusual plants and plants for dry climates), 21, Avenue de la Montagne Noire, 11160, Caunes-Minervois.

Tel: 04 68 78 43 81, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.lapetitepepiniere.com

We shall reopen on Friday 2nd March and after that it will be our usual opening hours of 10h – 18h Fridays and Saturdays, 10h – 12h Sundays, or by appointment at any time.